Scaffolding System

ABSTRACT

A scaffolding system comprises two sets of boards  30   o  to  30   s  and  30   u  to  30   z  laid side by side on transoms  32, 34  etc with their ends aligned. The ends of the boards  30   o  etc are interconnected by a connector  40  tied to ledgers  36, 38  of the scaffolding by means of cable ties  42  passed through perforations  40   e  in a dependent flange  40   d  of the connector  40 . The perforations  40   e  are spaced apart along the flange  40   d  by an amount equal to the pitch p of the scaffolding. The connector has an upper strip  40   a  overlying the boards and a lower strip  40   b  underlying the boards and joined to the upper strip by a web  40   c.  The web  40   c  separates the upper and lower strips  40   a  and  40   b  by an amount sufficient to receive the boards  30   o  etc snugly. Preferably the boards and the connector are formed of the same synthetic plastics material.

This application claims the benefit of UK Patent Application No.GB1201591.3, filed Jan. 30, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a scaffolding system, particularly but notnecessarily exclusively to provide elevated working platforms inconstruction and building maintenance.

Scaffolding comprises a rectilinear framework erected against a buildingand comprising a plurality of vertical members commonly known as‘standards’ and a plurality of horizontal members of which ‘ledgers’extend longitudinally, generally parallel to the building line, and‘transoms’ extend from front to rear of the scaffolding, generallyorthogonal to the building line. The standards, ledgers and transomsconventionally comprise metal tubes interconnected by scaffoldingfittings—which is to say clamps of which several kinds are in generaluse, and the precise form of which is not germane to the presentinvention. When the framework is assembled and the fittings secured,longitudinally extending scaffolding boards are laid across the transomsas and where required to provide one or more elevated working platforms.Regulations call for the transoms to be regularly spaced at a specifieddistance apart, which in the United Kingdom is 1200 mm, and this definesa modular dimension or ‘pitch’ for the scaffolding. To fit this,scaffolding boards are made in standard dimensions of up to 3900 mm longand 225 mm wide. To avoid trip hazards it is also preferred that allboards are of the same thickness, at least on any one site, and thestandard thickness is 38 mm.

The assembly and use of scaffolding platforms present a variety ofsafety related problems. Individual boards may move so as to becomeunstable on the scaffolding; they may warp so as to create a triphazard; and at platform corners boards are conventional laid on top oflower boards, creating another tip hazard. If the boards areinterconnected, the platform as a whole may be lifted off thescaffolding by a strong updraught. Various attempts have been previouslymade to tackle some of these problems.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the safety ofscaffolding boarding and other boarded platforms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided ascaffolding system comprising two coplanar sets of longitudinallyextending boards laid side by side on laterally extending horizontalmembers of the scaffolding between ends of the boards, ends of each setbeing aligned and the aligned ends of the two sets being longitudinallyadjacent, and a connector carried by the boards at the adjacent endsthereof, which connector is integrally formed from synthetic plasticsmaterial and comprises a vertical web between the adjacent ends of theboards, a horizontal upper strip overlying edges of the boards in eachset at their adjacent ends and a horizontal lower strip underlying edgesof the boards in each set at their adjacent ends, wherein said connectorcomprises integral securing means which extends along and downwards fromsaid lower strip and is tied to the scaffolding.

The securing means may comprise a flange dependent from said lowerstrip. Otherwise the securing means may comprise turned-down margins ofsaid lower strip. Either way, because the securing means is below thelower strip it is readily accessible during assembly, use and after-usedisassembly of the platform.

The securing means is preferably formed with perforations holding tiessecuring the connector to the scaffolding. And where, as isconventional, horizontal members of the scaffolding are longitudinallyspaced apart by a regular pitch p, said perforations may be regularlyspaced apart along said securing means by an amount which is equal to ora multiple of p.

The upper strip of the connector may be formed with a non-slip uppersurface.

Preferably said synthetic plastics material comprises recycled materialand is recyclable, and the connector may be extruded therefrom.

Traditionally scaffolding boards have been made of wood, usuallysoftwood, and this exacerbates the safety problems noted earlier herein.Wooden boards are particularly prone to warping and splitting, so woodenboarded platforms become uneven and therefore hazardous; and althoughthis can be resisted by metal strapping on the ends of the boards, thestrapping itself commonly becomes bent or damaged, creating a furtherhazard. Wood is inherently subject to much variety from differences ingrain pattern (especially where there are knots), density (such as thedifference between sapwood and heartwood) and rate of growth, and thisvariety demands wide safety margins; even so, wooden boards may breakwithout warning. Also, wooden boards almost inevitably have splinters,which makes them difficult to handle. Thus in the present invention itis preferred that each board is formed of synthetic plastics material,preferably the same material as that of the connectors.

The synthetic plastics material preferably comprises recycled material,and it may itself be recyclable. Recycled polyvinyl chloride, PVC, is anappropriate material, being thermoplastic and having an otherwiselimited market for post-consumer recycling.

Each board may comprise a hollow-form section constant along the lengthof a board so that, if the board is cut transversely at any point toform a new end, said new end will match the uncut end of another board.

A significant feature of the present invention is that connection may beprovided along the sides of the boards as well as at their ends. To thisend the scaffolding system may comprise a further connector integrallyformed from synthetic plastics material and comprising an upper stripformed to overlie edges of said boards along adjacent sides thereof, alower strip formed to underlie edges of said boards along adjacent sidesthereof and a web connecting the upper strip to the lower strip.

It is common, particularly at corners of scaffolding platforms, for afirst layer of boards extending in one direction to be placed on top ofa second layer extending in another direction. The difference in levelscreates an additional trip hazard. The present invention may thereforeinclude an end piece to combat this, which end piece comprises an upperend strip formed to overlie an edge of a first said board, aintermediate strip formed to underlie an edge of the first board, alower end strip overlying a second said board under the first board andextending to a free edge, an end web having an upper edge joined to andalong the upper end strip and a lower edge joined to and along theintermediate strip, and an inclined face between the upper edge of theend web and the free edge of the lower end strip so as in use to providea sloping transition between the first board and the second board.

Preferably each board includes an identifying marker. Thus, to combattheft, for instance, each board may be impressed or stamped orelectronically tagged to show ownership; for promotional purposes eachboard may be distinctively coloured and/or carry a user's trade mark;and each board may be embedded with a microchip whereby its age andusage may be monitored.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof making a platform for scaffolding comprising standards, ledgers andtransoms, which method comprises: providing a plurality oflongitudinally extending boards each having mutually orthogonaldimensions comprising a length x between ends of the boards, a width ybetween sides of the boards and a thickness z between faces of theboards; providing a plurality of connectors each comprising an upperstrip formed to overlie adjacent edges of the boards, a lower stripformed to underlie adjacent edges of the boards, a web connecting theupper strip to the lower strip and securing means extending along anddownwards of said lower strip; laying the boards side by side on thetransoms with their ends aligned; fitting said connectors betweenaligned ends of the boards to be supported thereby; and securing saidsecuring means of the connectors to ledgers of the scaffolding.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit ofparts for making a scaffolding platform, which kit comprises a pluralityof boards so dimensioned that x=3900 mm, y=225 mm, z=38 mm; a pluralityof connectors each of length being an integral multiple of y andcomprising a horizontal upper strip to overlie edges of the boards attheir ends, a horizontal lower strip to underlie edges of the boards attheir ends and separated from the upper strip by an amount sufficient toreceive the ends of the boards in snug fitting relationshiptherebetween, and securing means extending downwards from the lowerstrip; and a plurality of cable ties for tying said securing means tothe scaffolding; wherein said boards and said connectors are each formedof the same synthetic plastics material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription, which is made by way of example only with reference to theaccompanying schematic drawings, which are not to scale and in which—

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of scaffolding to which the invention may beapplied;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a scaffolding platform formed fromconventional boarding;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of a platform formed from conventionalboarding illustrating a number of common problems;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of part of a scaffolding platform formed from aboarding system according to the invention and including an end-to-endconnector for boards;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section at A-A of FIG. 4 showing an end-to-endconnector of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows the end-to-end connector of FIG. 5 in side elevation;

FIG. 7 shows a side-to-side connector of the invention in sideelevation;

FIG. 8 illustrates an end piece of the invention in cross-section;

FIGS. 9 to 12 show a board used in the invention respectively in plan,side elevation, end elevation and (substantially enlarged)cross-section;

FIG. 13 shows in cross-section an end-to-end connector of the inventionmodified from that shown in FIGS. 5; and

FIG. 14 shows in cross-section a further modified end-to-end connectorof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, this shows scaffolding indicated generally at10 erected against a wall 12 extending upwards from the ground(indicated by line 14) and supporting an elevated platform 16. Thescaffolding 10 comprises a rectilinear framework of interconnectedstandards, ledgers and transoms mutually spaced apart by a modular pitchp. Conventionally, and in accordance with common practice, p=1200 mm,but those skilled in the art of scaffolding will appreciate that this isby no means essential.

The rear elevation of the scaffolding 10, against the wall 12, is formedby a run of five vertical standards S1 to S5, the front elevation of thescaffolding 10 is formed by a corresponding run of five standards S7 toS11, and between the front and rear elevations are two intermediatestandards S6 and S12. The longitudinal disposition of the forwardstandards S7 to S11 is maintained by horizontal ledgers L1, L2 and L3,and corresponding ledgers (not numbered in the drawing, for sake ofsimplicity) interconnect the rearward standards S1 to S5. Extendingbetween and secured to the front and rear standards are horizontaltransoms T1 to T9. The lower transoms T3 to T7 support the platform 16(and in FIG. 1 the transoms T3 to T6, being concealed by the platform16, are shown in broken lines).

In well-known manner, the ledgers L1 etc are connected to the standardsS1 etc, and the transoms T1 etc to the ledgers L1 etc, by appropriatefittings, not detailed in the drawings, which may be of any convenientkind and the form of which does not form part of the present invention.Also not detailed in FIG. 1, to comply with safety regulations theframework has diagonal bracing and the platform 16 is surrounded at itsfront and ends by toe boards and debris netting extending upwardly fromthe lower transoms T3 to T7.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the platform 16 is assembled from aplurality of boards 20 laid side-by-side and supported by the transom T7and the other lower transoms (not shown in FIG. 2). As they appear inFIG. 2, the boards 20 appear perfectly flat and regular. In practice,however, conventional wooden boards are commonly not flat or regular.Thus, as illustrated by FIG. 3, the board 20 a is warped upwards acrossits width, the boards 20 b and 20 c are reasonably flat but they havebecome separated to create a gap 30, the board 20 d is warped along itslength so that one side is raised at the end, and the board 20 e iswarped downwards across its width. As a result the working surface ofthe platform 16 is uneven and hazardous.

By contrast, the present invention provides a scaffolding platform whichis and remains flat and regular.

As shown in FIG. 4, the platform is formed from a boarding systemcomprising a plurality of boards 30 o to 30 z laid side-by-side ontransoms 32 and 34 mutually spaced apart by pitch p. The transoms 32 and34 extend above and orthogonally of ledgers 36 and 38 also mutuallyspaced apart by pitch p.

The boards comprise two sets of six, 30 o to 30 t and 30 u to 30 z, thetwo sets being laid end-to-end and the adjacent ends beinginterconnected by a connector 40 extending transversely of the boards.As shown in FIG. 4 the connector 40 extends across the whole width ofsix boards. However for a wider platform it may extend across moreboards and for a narrower platform it may extend across fewer: for mostpurposes the platform will be no narrower than four boards, and for sucha platform it is sufficient for the connector 40 to extend up to fourboards, and not less than three. The connector 40 may be cut to lengthon site or prior to assembling the scaffolding, or connectors 40 may bepreformed to a standard length as elements of a kit of parts for ascaffolding system.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the boards 30 o to 30 t and 30 u to 30 z arelaid side-by-side on the transoms 32 and 34 (and, of course, othertransoms not shown in FIG. 4, supporting the boards between their ends).The connector 40 is carried by the projecting ends of the boards.Otherwise expressed, the connector 40 does not carry the boards, so itis of light weight and integrally and inexpensively formed as will beunderstood from the following description.

The connector 40 is integrally formed by extrusion from syntheticplastics material and its form is shown, much enlarged in comparisonwith

FIG. 4, in FIG. 5. The connector 40 comprises an upper strip 40 aoverlying end edges of the boards (the boards 30 t and 30 z are seen inFIG. 5) and a lower strip 40 b underlying the end edges of boards. Theupper strip 40 a and the lower strip 40 b are joined by a web 40 cintegral therewith. Extending downwards from the lower strip 40 b andalso integral therewith is securing means in the form of a flange 40 dthat extends along and downwards from the lower strip 40 b.

The flange 40 d is perforated at 40 e and a cable tie 42 (ofconventional form) extends through the perforation 40 e and around theledger 38, whereby the connector 40 is secured to the scaffolding, toprevent the platform formed by the boards from being dislodged byimpacts or updraughts. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that theflange 40 d may be perforated at intervals along its length, eg atintervals equal to the pitch p of the scaffolding, whereby the connector40—and thence the boards themselves—may be tied to the ledger 38 (and/orother ledgers) at multiple points.

The margins of the lower strip 40 b are chamfered as indicated at 40 g,to facilitate the fitting of the boards 30 t, 30 z etc. The verticaldimension of the web 40 c is only very slightly greater than thethickness z of the boards 30 t, 30 z etc, so the boards are a snug fitbetween the upper and lower strips 40 a and 40 b of the connector 40.

As seen in FIG. 5, the upper face of the upper strip 40 a is roughenedat 40 f, eg by corrugations, to provide a non-slip surface, as anadditional contribution to user safety.

For the avoidance of uncertainty, two aspects of FIG. 5 may be notedhere. First, the transoms 32 and 34, which extend above and orthogonallyof the ledgers 36 and 38, do not appear in FIG. 5 because their spacingat pitch p places them outside the field of view. Second, in reality theledger 38 (like other elements of the scaffolding) is substantiallythicker than the thickness z of the boards and, to accommodate thetransoms, the ledger 38 is spaced below the underside of the boards byan amount not less than the diameter of the transoms.

The difference between end-to-end connection and side-to-side connectionis illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows the end-to-end connector 40, in side elevation. Asdescribed above, the connector 40 has an upper strip 40 a and a lowerstrip 40 b joined together by a vertical web 40 c which in use extendsbetween ends of the platform boards. The securing means comprises aflange 40 d extending downwards from the web 40 c and along the lengthof the connector 40, with perforations 40 e spaced apart by an amountequal to the pitch p of the supporting structure. The spacing p of theperforations 40 e makes it easy for the connector 40 to be secured tothe ledgers 36,38 that are also spaced at pitch p, the supportingstructure being modular. (Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe perforations 40 e may otherwise be spaced apart by a multiple of p.)Because the flange 40 d is below the lower strip 40 b, it is clear ofthe boards forming the platform and therefore readily accessible duringassembly, use and after-use disassembly thereof. In addition the flange40 d improves the strength and stiffness of the connector 40.

FIG. 7 shows a side-to-side connector 50, in side elevation. Theconnector 50 has an upper strip 50 a and a lower strip 50 b joinedtogether by a vertical web 50 c which in use extends between ends of theplatform boards. Unlike the end-to-end connector, the side-to-sideconnector has no dependent flange, because any such flange would foulthe transoms that support the boards. The lower strip 50 b may be formedwith perforations at spaced apart locations 50 e whereby the connector50 may be secured by cable ties 42 (below the web 50 c and thereforereadily accessible). Alternatively, and even more accessible, theconnector 50 may be formed with downwardly projecting perforated nubsspaced apart to avoid the transoms.

FIG. 8 illustrates an end piece 60 forming part of the invention. As iswell known it is often necessary, particularly at corners of ascaffolding platform, to place one layer of boards on top of another. InFIG. 8 a top board 62 is above a bottom board 64. The end piece 60ameliorates the trip hazard resulting from this arrangement. The endpiece 60 comprises an upper strip 60 a, a lower strip 60 b and avertical web 60 c. The upper strip extends on only one side of the web60 c (leftwards as seen in FIG. 8) to overlie the edge of the board 62,with the web 60 c against the end of the board 62. Between the upperstrip 60 a and the lower strip 62 an intermediate strip 60 d (alsoextending leftwards of the web 60 c as seen in FIG. 8) underlies theupper board 62. The lower strip 60 b extends (rightwards as seen in FIG.8) to a free edge and overlying the lower board 64. An inclined face 60e, reinforced by a supporting brace 60 f, provides a sloping transitionbetween the upper board 62 and the lower board 64. As will be recognisedby those skilled in the art, this sloping transition substantiallyreduces the risk of a user tripping or stumbling at the change of levelsbetween the boards 64 and 64. The upper strip 60 a and the inclined face60 e are each formed to provide a non-slip surface. Between theintermediate strip 60 d and the lower strip 6 ob is a step of height hdimensioned to make up the difference between the thickness of a board(nominally 38 mm) and the diameter of a scaffolding pole (nominally 60mm).

The non-slip surfaces of the end-to-end connector 40, the side-to-sideconnector 50 and the end piece 60 are all formed as follows. V-shapedgrooves about 1 mm deep are formed along the length of each item duringextrusion and then further V-shaped grooves about 0.5 mm deep are cutacross each item. This provides very good grip in use and allows rain orother deposited water to flow off lengthways.

A further feature of the invention is that the platform boards areextruded from recycled PVC (or possibly some other synthetic plasticsmaterial) and do not warp or split or splinter. A board 70 is shown inFIGS. 9 to 12. Each board 70 comprises a hollow-form extrusion of lengthx between its ends, of width y between its sides and of thickness zbetween its faces. The hollow-form extrusion of the board 70 is formedwith a plurality of internal webs 72 and its form is constant along itslength so that it may be cut at any point whenever necessary. Theoverall dimensions of the (uncut) board 40 match those of a conventionalwooden scaffolding board, ie x=3900 mm, y=225 mm and z=38 mm. The wallthickness s of the hollow-form extrusion is 3 mm and the web thickness tis 2 mm. It should also be understood that, although not detailed inFIGS. 9 to 12, the board 70 is radiused at its corners and at thejunctions between the walls and the webs, the radius being approximately4 mm.

It is recommended that the connectors (and end pieces) and the boards ofthe invention be formed of the same material. By this means thermalexpansion/contraction of the connectors and the boards with changes intemperature will be the same. In particular, it will be the same in avertical dimension (ie the length of the web 40 c and the thickness z ofthe boards) and therefore the snug fit of the boards in the connector 40will be preserved as temperature varies—which may be over a range of 60°C. or even more.

As an adjunct to the invention, boards of hollow form as shown in FIG.12 may be connected end-to-end and/or side-to-side by joiners plugginginto the hollow-form sections at the ends of the boards.

The connector 80 shown in FIG. 13 has a form slightly modified from thatof the connector 40 shown in FIG. 5. Thus the connector 80 has margins80 g of the lower strip 80 b turned down, instead of the chamfers 40 gof the connector 40.

In other respects the connector 80 is similar to the connector 40. Theconnector 80 is integrally formed by extrusion from synthetic plasticsmaterial and comprises an upper strip 80 a overlying end edges of theboards (the boards 30 t and 30 z are seen in FIG. 13) and a web 80 cextending downwards therefrom, between adjacent ends of the boards, tothe lower strip 80 b. Extending downwards from the lower strip 80 b andalso integral therewith is securing means in the form of a flange 80 dthat extends along and downwards from the lower strip 80 b. The flange80 d is perforated at 80 e and a cable tie 82 (of conventional form)extends through the perforation 80 e and around the ledger 38, wherebythe connector 80 is secured to the scaffolding, to prevent the platformformed by the boards from being dislodged by impacts or updraughts. Theflange 80 d has perforations 80 e at intervals along its length, eg atintervals equal to the pitch p of the scaffolding, whereby the connector80—and thence the boards themselves—is tied to the ledger 38 (and/orother ledgers) at multiple points. The upper face of the upper strip 80a is roughened at 80 f to provide a non-slip surface.

The connector 90 shown in FIG. 14 is further modified. Like theconnector 80 of FIG. 13, it has the margins 90 g of the lower strip 90 bturned down. The turned-down margins 90 g are thus clear of the boards30 t, 30 z etc, and being therefore accessible for cable ties can serveas securing means for the connector 90. Accordingly the turned-downmargins 90 g has perforations has perforations 90 e at intervals alongits length, eg at intervals equal to the pitch p of the scaffolding,whereby the connector 90—and thence the boards themselves—is tied to theledger 38 (and/or other ledgers) at multiple points. And the connector90 does not need a securing flange like the flange 40 d of the connector40 or the flange 80 d of the connector 80.

In other respects the connector 90 is similar to the connector 80. Theconnector 90 is integrally formed by extrusion from synthetic plasticsmaterial and comprises an upper strip 90 a overlying end edges of theboards (the boards 30 t and 30 z are seen in FIG. 14) and a web 90 cextending downwards therefrom, between adjacent ends of the boards, tothe lower strip 90 b. The upper face of the upper strip 90 a isroughened at 90 f to provide a non-slip surface.

The connectors and endpieces of the invention are extruded from the samematerial and all have a constant cross-section so that they may be cutto any required length. Combining such connectors and endpieces withboards, scaffolding and ties, the invention thus provides a kit of partsfacilitating the construction of an elevated platform which is flat,safe and stable.

As well as the flatness, safety and stability of the platform providedby use of connectors with boards according to the invention, certainother benefits of the invention may now be pointed out. First, becausethe boards are formed of synthetic plastics material, they do not warpor split or splinter like wood. Second, with plastics manufacture it iseasy and very inexpensive to incorporate a marker in each board: theboards can be distinctively coloured, for instance, or provided with alogo or other trade mark to indicate their ownership; otherwise amicrochip can be embedded, to guard against theft or to allow age andusage to be checked automatically. Third, the boards do not rot and theyresist environmental degradation. Fourth, it is easy and cheap toprovide a non-slip working surface on each board as well as on theconnectors. Fifth, the extruded form provides consistency (of form andstrength) over each length of board and from board to board, in contrastwith the variability of wood. Sixth, the hollow-form extrusion isregular over the length of the board, so any board can be cut to anyrequired length. Seventh, the hollow form allows weight-saving withoutloss of strength. Eighth, both the boards and the connectors can be madefrom recycled material. And ninth, the boards and the connectors canthemselves be recycled after the end of their useful life.

It should be understood that the invention may be used for purposesother than scaffolding, for instance to form temporary staging orterracing, or for providing walkways across potentially muddy areas asaround toilet facilities at country shows, open-air festivals and soforth. The invention may otherwise be used to form truck beds orflooring for containers etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scaffolding system comprising two coplanar sets of longitudinally extending boards laid side by side on laterally extending horizontal members of the scaffolding between ends of the boards, ends of each set being aligned and the aligned ends of the two sets being longitudinally adjacent, and a connector carried by the boards at the adjacent ends thereof, which connector is integrally formed from synthetic plastics material and comprises a vertical web between the adjacent ends of the boards, a horizontal upper strip overlying edges of the boards in each set at their adjacent ends and a horizontal lower strip underlying edges of the boards in each set at their adjacent ends, wherein said connector comprises integral securing means which extends along and downwards from said lower strip and is tied to the scaffolding.
 2. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein in that said securing means comprises a flange dependent from said lower strip.
 3. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises turned down margins of said lower strip.
 4. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means is formed with perforations holding ties securing the connector to the scaffolding.
 5. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 4 wherein horizontal members of the scaffolding are longitudinally spaced apart by a regular pitch p and said perforations are regularly spaced apart along said securing means by an amount which is equal to or a multiple of p.
 6. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper strip of the connector is formed with a non-slip upper surface.
 7. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said synthetic plastics material comprises recycled material and is recyclable.
 8. A scaffolding system as claimed claim 7 wherein said connector is extruded from said synthetic plastics material.
 9. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said boards are formed from synthetic plastics material.
 10. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said boards are formed from the same synthetic plastics material as that of said connector.
 11. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each board comprises a hollow-form section constant along the length of a board so that, if the board is cut transversely at any point to form a new end, said new end will match the uncut end of another board.
 12. A scaffolding system as claimed claim 1 wherein said system comprises a further connector integrally formed from synthetic plastics material and comprising an upper strip formed to overlie edges of said boards along adjacent sides thereof, a lower strip formed to underlie edges of said boards along adjacent sides thereof and a web connecting the upper strip to the lower strip.
 13. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system comprises an end piece comprising an upper end strip formed to overlie an edge of a first said board, a intermediate strip formed to underlie an edge of the first board, a lower end strip overlying a second said board under the first board and extending to a free edge, an end web having an upper edge joined to and along the upper end strip and a lower edge joined to and along the intermediate strip, and an inclined face between the upper edge of the end web and the free edge of the lower end strip so as in use to provide a sloping transition between the first board and the second board.
 14. A scaffolding system as claimed claim 1 wherein each board includes an identifying marker.
 15. A method of making a platform for scaffolding comprising standards, ledgers and transoms, which method comprises: providing a plurality of longitudinally extending boards each having mutually orthogonal dimensions comprising a length x between ends of the boards, a width y between sides of the boards and a thickness z between faces of the boards; providing a plurality of connectors each comprising an upper strip formed to overlie adjacent edges of the boards, a lower strip formed to underlie adjacent edges of the boards, a web connecting the upper strip to the lower strip and securing means extending along and downwards of said lower strip; laying the boards side by side on transoms between ends of the boards and with said ends aligned; fitting said connectors with the webs thereof between aligned ends of the boards to be supported thereby; and securing said securing means of the connectors to ledgers of the scaffolding.
 16. A kit of parts for making a scaffolding platform, which kit comprises: a plurality of boards so dimensioned that x=3900 mm, y=225 mm, z=38 mm; a plurality of connectors each of length being an integral multiple of y and comprising a horizontal upper strip to overlie edges of the boards at their ends, a horizontal lower strip to underlie edges of the boards at their ends and separated from the upper strip by an amount sufficient to receive the ends of the boards in snug fitting relationship therebetween, and securing means extending downwards from the lower strip; and a plurality of cable ties for tying said securing means to the scaffolding; wherein said boards and said connectors are each formed of the same synthetic plastics material. 